Defense weapon



Jan. l1, 1966 G. A. sTANzEL 3,228,565

DEFENSE WEAPON Filed April 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J/ l l/l/ 62 9| www40 7 2/ ff' l 74 w \\1\ \7/ 86 l \32 Z6 24 22 37 /7 /8 9 C 7. .Fzgz 6 'si/A U 650,965 ,4. 57m/Za F! gr g 5y@ ATMP/vf# United States Patent3,228,565 DEFENSE WEAPUN George A. Stanzel, 4835 Woodmere Fairway,Scottsdale, Ariz. Filed Apr. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 362,744 6 Claims. (Cl.Z22-82) This invention relates to a iluid dispensing devi-ce and moreparticularly to adefensive weapon of `a iiuid ejecting type.

It is the object of this invention .to provide an improved liquiddisc-hargingdevice.which when operated wil-l discharge a spray ofliquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide `a liquid dischargingweapon `with a removable and replaceable liquid storing cartridge whichis readily and easily loaded into the weapon.

A further obje-ct of the invention is to provide a liquid dischargingweapon `which can ybe easily carried in a purse or a pocket and Ican beheld in and operated wit-h one hand.

Still another 'object of the invention is to provide a liquiddischarging weapon which is extensible for the purpose of loading aliquid storing cartridge into the weapon and for setting the weapon in acocked position.

An addition-al object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispensingdevice which is sturdy and durable in construction, .reliable andeffective inoperation, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture,`assem'blezand utilize.

These and other objects and advantages of this inven tion will bereadily apparent from a consideration of the following description andthe accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid discharging Weapon of thisinvention showing `one side thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the weapon of FIG. l showing the topside thereof;

FIG. 3 is `an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along the line3-3 of FIG. 2 showing t-he plunger held in the cocked position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the plunger in the releasedposition;

tFIG. 5 lis a perspective view vof the liquid discharging weapon in itsextended cartridge loading and cocking position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of FIG. 5showing an expended cartridge attached to the plunger;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the liquid storing cartridge;and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9 9 of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. l and 2 the duiddispensing device of this invention indicated generally at 10. Thedevice 10 has a cylindrical body 11 secured at its forward end to adisc-shaped head 12. A cap 13 is threaded on the opposite endof the body11.

As shown in FIG. 3,t-he cylindrical body 11 comprises an inner tubularbody or shell 14 having la longitudinal bore 16. An outer tubular memberor shell 17 is telescoped over the inner shell 14. The cap 13 isthreaded on the rear end section of the shell 17 and is engageable withthe rear end of the shell 14. The telescoped posi- ICC tion of ytheouter shell 17 with respect to the inner shell 14 is maintained by alatch -15 and a yball and spring detent 18 seated in a transverse -b-ore19 in the rear end section vof the inner shell 14. The detent l18 isbiased in a radially outward direction and engages a recess in the innerwall of the rear end section of the outer shell 17 to maintainthe closedtelescoped position of the outer shell 17 on t-he inner shell 14.

'As shown in FIIG. 9, the latch 15 comprises a crank member 20 having alinger 20a and a laterally projected arm 2Gb. The crank member 20extends into a longitudinal slot 25 inthe head 12 and is pivot-allyc-onnectedto the headfby a pin 30. The linger 20a projects into` a hole35 in the outer shell 14 and engages a portion of the shell forming thehol-e -35'to lock the outer and inner shells in .a telescoped position.The linger Za is maintained in'the hole 35 by a coil spring 45positionedin a bore in the head 12 and projects rearwardly intoengagement with the arm 2Gb. The latch 15 is released by moving thearm20b toward the head-12 thereby with drawing thernger 20a `from the hole35.

With reference to FIG. v3, it is seen that the head12 has a boss 21projected int-o theforward section of the bore 16. The'head V12 isconnected to the inner shell v14 by pins 22 which project transverselyof the boss 21. The center section of the head 12 has a stepped passage23 in longitudinal alignment with the axis of the bore 16. A needleassembly 24 and nozzle plug 26 are positione'd inthe passage 23.

The needle assemblyv 24 comprises -a cup-shaped holder V27 carrying arearwardly extended tubular needle i 28.

The rear end of the needle 28 is formed on a bias and has atermin-alcutting lip l29. The nozzle .plug 26 is of a `cup-shape land isthreadably attached tothe head 12. The rear wall'of the plug 26 engagesthe forward .section of the holder 27 to hold the needle assembly `24 inla xed position relative to the head 12. The plug 26 has :a transversedisc 31 with a central orice 32 in .axial alignment with the pass-age inthe needle'28.

A plunger 33, slidably positioned in the -bore'16-for movement towardandaway from the tubular. needle 28, has a head 34 secured to a tubularlstern 36.. The head 34 has lan annular peripheral rib 37 positioned insliding eng-agement with lthe walls of the bore 16. ,The ,forwardsection of the head V34 has a transverse slotSa opento a transverseundercut recess 38 anda longitudinal bore 39.

The stern 36 extends in a rearward .direction from the head 34.*andterminates in an Vinwardlydirected annular flange 41 having .a centr-alhQleAZ. j Secured to the rear end section of the inner lshell.14 is la.washer 43 having a central hole 44 in alignment lwiththe hole 42 in thestem 36. Pins 46 secure the washer 43 tol theshel'l14.

The plunger33 is biased in a forward direction by a coil spring 47positioned about the stem 36 and in 'bearing engagement at its oppositeendswith the ribv 37 and lthe washer 43, respectively.

A trigger indicatedv generally at 48v is pivotally mounted Ion the innershell V14 and functions to :hold the plunger v33 in a lock or cockedposition. .The trigger 48 com- As shown in FIG. 3, the head 52 is inengagement with the rib 37 of the plunger 33 and functions as a latchfor the plunger 33. In this position the spring 47 is under compressionand thereby biases the plunger 33 in a forward direction into the head52 of the trigger 48.

The forward portion of the lever 49 is positioned over a groove 56 inthe inner sleeve 14. As shown in FIG. 4, when the trigger 48 is moved tothe release position the forward portion of the lever 49 projects intothe groove 56. A short leg 57 secured to the bottom of the lever 49limits the inward movement of the trigger 48.

The trigger 48 is held in the lock position by a safety latch 58engageable with the forward lip 59 of the lever 49. The latch 58 whichis pivotally mounted on the tubular member 14 prevents movement of thelever 49 into the groove 56 and is interposed between the lip 59 of thelever 49 and the head 12. The inner end of the latch 58 is formed with aprojection 61 positioned in a pocket 62 formed in the boss 21 of thehead 12. The lower section of the latch 58 has an enlarged boss 63forming a rearwardly projected step under the lip 59 of the lever 59. Aconical-shaped hole 64 extends through the boss 63.

The latch 58 is held in engagement with the lip 59 by a leaf spring 66extended through the hole 64 into a recess 67 in the head 12. Theopposite end of the spring 66 is positioned in a longitudinal groove 68on the inside of the forward section of the lever 49. The spring 66curves in an outward direction from the head 12 and functions to biasthe trigger 48 to the lock position and to bias the safety latch 58 intoengagement with the lip 59 of the lever 49. Movement of the safety latch58 in a forward direction toward the head 12 disengages the boss 63 fromthe lip 59 and permits the lever 49 to be moved to the release positionas shown in FIG. 4. The spring 47 being under compression biases theplunger 33 in a forward direction toward the head 12.

A liquid carrying capsule of cartridge indicated generally at 69 isreleasably attached to the forward section of the plunger head 34. Asshown in FIG. 8, the capsule 69 comprises a spherical-shaped hollowflexible body 71, shown as a ball, and an integral cylindrical base 72formed with a reduced end section 73 to form an annular groove 75. Thediameter of the base 72 is smaller than the diameter of the ball. Theball 71 is filled under pressure with a liquid, such as ammonia andwater With the use of a hypodermic needle. The capsule 69 may be formedfrom deformable material such as rubber or plastic.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rod 74 extends through a hole 76 in the cap13, through the hole 44 in the washer j 43 and into the stem 36 of theplunger 33. A pin 77 secures the rear end of the rod 74 to the cap 13.The

forward end of the rod 74 has an enlarged head 78 adapted to engage thestem annular ange 41. The stem 36 has a keyhole slot 40 used in theassembly of the rod 74 with the plunger 33.

In order to prevent the accidental release of the safety latch 58 theperipheral portion of the head 12 projects radially beyond the radialextent of the latch 58. In addition, the peripheral portion of the head12 opposite the safety latch 58 is formed with a fiat portion therebypreventing the device from rolling when placed on a surface. A

The device is normally loaded with a capsule 69 having a charge ofliquid and is set in a cocked position as shown in FIG. 3. The end 73 ofthe capsule is positioned in the recess 38 of the plunger head 34 withthe annular groove 75 projected through the slot 38a thereby attachingthe capsule to the forward end of the plunger. In this position theplunger 33 is in locking engagement with the trigger 48 and the spring47 is under compression biasing the plunger 33 toward the needleassembly 24. The device is ready for immediate use.

In use, the device 10 is held in one hand with the head 12 aimed at anintended target. With his thumb the operator moves the safety latch 58toward the head 12 and presses on the forward portion of the trigger 48.As soon as the forward end 59 of the lever 49 moves from the boss 63 thelever pivots about the pin 51 moving the head 52 out of engagement withthe plunger 33.

As shown in FIG. 4, the head 52 moves from the ridge 37 of the plunger33, The spring 47 forces the plunger 33 toward the needle assembly 24.The cartridge 69 being carried on the forward end of the plunger 33 ispierced by the lip 29 of the needle 28 and compressed against the boss21 by the spring 47 so as to apply a pressure on the fluid in the ball71. The liquid in the ball 71 flows through the needle 28 and the orice32 of the nozzle plug 26 and is discharged therefrom as a spray ofliquid. Y

VThey force of the spring 47 moves the ball 71 into sealing engagementwith the end of the boss 21 so that substantially all of the fluid inthe ball 71 is forced through the needle 28 and orice 32. The inner endwall 79 of the trigger head 52 has a length which is greater than thedistance between adjacent turns of the spring 47 thereby preventing thehead 52 from interferring with the spring 47.

The lower forward edge of the head 52 has a bevel 81 which coacts withan annular bevel 82 on the plunger rib 37 to permit the plunger 33 tomove rearwardly of the head 52. As shown in FIG. 6, the plunger 33 ismoved rearwardly to a cocked position by releasing the latch 15 andmoving the outer shell'll rearwardly with respect to the inner shell 14.Rearward movement of the outer shell 11 moves the rod 74 rearwardlythrough the washer 43. The head 78 of the rod 74 engages the inwardlydirected ange 41 of the plunger trunk 36 thereby -moving the plungerrearwardly against the biasing force of the spring 47. As the plunger 33is moved in a rearward direction the air in the rear section of the bore16 escapes through the opening 53 thereby minimizing the dampeningeffect of the air trapped in the bore 16. When the plunger rib 37 hasbeen moved rearwardly of the head 52, the trigger 48 moves to the lockposition under the action of the leaf spring 66. In this position thenotch 54 engages a forward portion of the plunger rib 37 (FIG. 6).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the outer shell 11 is extended withrespect to the inner shell 14 openings 83 and 84 in the side walls ofthe respective shells are in alignment to provide a passage into thebore 16. This passage has a length and Width which permits the removalof an expended cartridge, shown in FIG. 6, from the head of the plunger33 and the loading of a new cartridge therein.

In order to aid in the removal of an expended cartridge from the bore 16the wall of the shell 14 opposite the opening 83 is provided with a hole86. A rod or si-milar tool is inserted through the hole 86 and is usedto force the grooved end 73 of the capsule out of the recess 38 in theplunger head 34.

The cartridge 69 is attached to the forward end of the plunger head 34by inserting the reduced end 73 of the cartridge base 72 into the recess38 in the head 34. The end 73 is forced into the recess 38 so as tofirmly attach the cartridge 69 to the plunger head 34 at the groove 75.

The outer shell 11 is then moved onto the inner shell 14 closing thepassage into the bore 16. A-s shown in FIG. 9, the Vlate-h 15 holds :theshells in a telescoped closed position. The weapon is now reloaded witha new cartridge and is set in a cocked position. With the actuation ofthe safety latch 58 and trigger 48, the weapon will discharge 'anotherspray of liquid toward a selected target.

In summary, the fluid dispensing device of 'the invention is providedwith a pair of telescoping tubular shells 14 and 17 carrying a springbiased plunger 33 having a head 34. A liquid storing cartridge orcapsule 69 is attached to the forward section of the head 34 and moveswith the plunger 33 t-oward a needle assembly 24.

A trigger 48 is biased into engage-ment with the plunger 33 holding itin a cocked position. When the trigger 48 is released from the plunger33, the cartridge 69 is moved into engagement with the tubular needle 28piercing the ball 71. The liquid in the ball 71 is forced through thepassage in t-he needle 28 and discharged through the orifice 32 in t-henozzle plug 26.

In order to reload the device, the outer shell 17 is moved to anextended position with respect to the inner shell 14 aligning theopen-ings 83 and 84 in the shells and moving the plunger 33 int-oenga-gement with the trigger 48. T-he spent cartridge 69 `is removedfrom `the plunger head 34 through the passage formed lby the openings 83and 84. A new cartridge is attached -to the plunger head 34. When theouter shell 17 is moved back over the inner shell 14, t-he device isready to operate.

While there have been shown, described, and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the linvention it will be understood that variousomissions, substitutions, changes in form, and details of the duiddispensing device illustrated may be made by those skilled in the artWithout departing from t-he spirit of the invention which is intended tobe -limited only as indicated by the scope of the fol-lowing claims.

I claim:

1. A fluid dispensing device comprising:

(a) inner and outer telescoped tubular members,

(b) a cap attached to one end of the outer tubular mem-ber,

(c) head means secured to the end of the inner tubular member oppositethe cap,

(d) fluid conducting means including a tubular needle mounted on saidhead means with said tubular needle projected into said inner tubularmember,

(e) a plunger slidably disposed in the inner tubular member for movementtoward land away from said tubular need-le,

(f) means for biasing the plunger toward the tubular needle,

(g) a hollow liquid carrying cartridge positioned in the inner tubularmember between the plunger and tubular needle,

(h) means for lattaching the cartridge to the plunger,

(i) trigger means pivotally -mounted on the inner tubular member andengageable with said plunger `for holding the plunger and cartridgespaced from the tubular needle, said trigger means being movable fromsaid plunger whereby said biasing means forces the plunger toward thetubular needle to move the cartridge on the tubular needle and -releasethe liquid in the cartridge through the fluid conducting means, and

(j) rod means secured to said cap and engageable with said plungerwhereby upon movement of the outer tubular member away from the headmeans the plunger is carried away from said tubular needle against thefor-ce of the biasing means and into engagement with said trigger meansthereby removing the cartridge from the tu-bular needle.

2. A fluid dispensing device comprising:

(a) inner and outer telescoped tubular members relatively movable toexpanded and contracted positions,

(b) uid conducting means including a tubular needle operativelyconnected to one end of the inner tubular member with said tubularneedle projected into said inner tubular member,

(c) a plunger slidably disposed in the inner tubular member for movementtoward and away from said tu-bular needle,

(d) means for biasing the plunger toward the tubular needle,

(e) a liquid storing cartridge posi-tioned in the inner tubular memberbetween the plunger and tubular needle,

(f) -coa-cting means on said cartridge and plunger for attaching thecartridge to the plunger,

(g) trigger means mounted on the inner tubular member and engageablewit-h said plunger to hold the plunger and cartridge spaced `from thetubular needle, said trigger means being movable from said plungerwhereby said bia-sing means moves the plunger toward the tubular needlewhereby to force the cartri-dge on the needle and release the liquid inthe cartridge th-rough the uid conducting means, and

(h) means operatively connected to said youter tubular member andengageable with said plunger on relative movement of the tubular membersto the expanded position to carry the plunger away from said tubularneedle against the force of the biasing means and Iinto engagement withsaid trigger means thereby `removing the cartridge lfrom the tubularneedle.

3. A device for dispensing liquid from a liquid storing cartridgecomprising:

(a) inner and outer telescoped tubular members relatively movable toexpanded and contracted positions,

(b) lluid conducting means including a tubular needle operativelyconnected to one end of the yinner tubular member with said tubularneedle projected into said inner tubular member,

(c) a plunger slidably dispos-ed in the inner tubula-r member formovement toward and away from said tubular needle,

(d) means for biasing the plunger toward the tubular needle,

(e) means on said plunger for attaching the cartridge to the plunger,

(f) trigger means Imounted on the linner tubular member and engageablewit-h said plunger to hold the plunger spaced from the tubular needle,said trigger means being movable from said plunger whereby said biasingmeans moves the plunger toward the tubular needle to force the cartridge:on t-he tubular needle and release the liquid in the cartridge throughthe lluid conducting means, and

(g) means operatively connected to said outer tubular member andengageable with -said plunger on relative rmovement of the tubularmembers to the expanded position to car-ry the plunger away from saidtubular needle against the force of the biasing means and intoengagement with said trigger means thereby removing the cartridge fromthe tubular needle.

4. In a fluid dispensing device,

(a) inner and outer telescoped tubular members relatively movable toexpanded and contracted positions,

(b) a tubular needle connected `to one end of the inner tubular memberand projected into said tubular member,

(c) a plunger unit slidably disposed in the inner tubular -member formovement toward and `away from said tubular needle,

(d) means for biasing the plunger unit out of the inner tubular member,

(e) trigger means engageable with said plunger unit for holding theplunger unit in the inner tubular member, said trigger means beingmovable from said plunger unit whereby `said biasing means forces theplunger unit out of the inner tubula-r mem-ber, and

(f) means operatively connected to said outer tubular member andengageable with said plunger unit on relative movement of the tubular.members to the expanded position to carry the plunger unit away fromsaid tubular needle against the force of the bia-sing mean-s and intoengagement with said trigger -means thereby removing :the cartridge fromthe tubular needle.

5. In a fluid ldispensing device `as dened in claim 4 wherein:

(a)y the inner and router `tubular members have `openings in the isidewalls thereof which are in registra- ,ti-on when the tubular mem-bersare in the expanded position therebypr-oviding a passage to the plungerunit.

6. A liquid storing cartridge usable in a yHuid `dispensing devicehaving a movable plunger comprising:

(a) a hollow ball `having a ilexible wall delining a liquid storingchamber, and

(-b) a cylindrical base of a diameter smal-ler than the ball secured toa portion of the Wall yof the ball, said `base having means foratta-ching the cart-ridge Ito the plunger.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTSGreat Britain.

LOUS l. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

15 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner.

1. A FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING: (A) INNER AND OUTER TELESCOPEDTUBULAR MEMBERS, (B) A CAP ATTACHED TO ONE END OF THE INNER TUBULARMEMBER, (C) HEAD MEANS SECURED TO THE END OF THE INNER TUBULAR MEMBEROPPOSITE THE CAP, (D) FLUID CONDUCTING MEANS INCLUDING A TUBULAR NEEDLEMOUNTED ON SAID HEAD MEANS WITH SAID TUBULAR NEEDLE PROJECTED INTO SAIDINNER TUBULAR MEMBER, (E) A PLUNGER SLIDABLY DISPOSED IN THE INNERTUBULAR MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID TUBULAR NEEDLE,(F) MEANS FOR BIASING THE PLUNGER TOWARD THE TUBULAR NEEDLE, (G) AHOLLOW LIQUID CARRYING CARTRIDGE POSITIONED IN THE INNER TUBULAR MEMBERBETWEEN THE PLUNGER AND TUBULAR NEEDLE, (H) MEANS FOR ATTACHING THECARTRIDGE TO THE PLUNGER, (I) TRIGGER MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THEINNER TUBULAR MEMBER AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID PLUNGER FOR HOLDING THEPLUNGER AND CARTRIDGE SPACED FROM THE TUBULAR NEEDLE, SAID TRIGGER MEANSBEING MOVABLE FROM SAID PLUNGER WHEREBY SAID BIASING MEANS FORCES THEPLUNGER TOWARD THE TUBULAR NEEDLE TO MOVE THE CARTRIDGE ON THE TUBULARNEEDLE AND RELEASE THE LIQUID IN THE CARTRIDGE THROUGH THE FLUIDCONDUCTING MEANS, AND (J) ROD MEANS SECURED TO SAID CAP AND ENGAGEABLEWITH SAID PLUNGER WHEREBY UPON MOVEMENT OF THE OUTER TUBULAR MEMBER AWAYFROM THE HEAD MEANS THE PLUNGER IS CARRIED AWAY FROM SAID TUBULAR NEEDLEAGAINST THE FORCE OF THE BIASING MEANS AND INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAIDTRIGGER MEANS THEREBY REMOVING THE CARTRIDGE FROM THE TUBULAR NEEDLE.